A hydraulic shock absorber includes: an expansion-side passage and a contraction-side passage that connect an expansion-side chamber with a contraction-side chamber; an expansion-side valve body configured to open or close the expansion-side passage; a contraction-side valve body configured to open or close the contraction-side passage; an expansion-side back-pressure chamber configured to bias the expansion-side valve body; a contraction-side back-pressure chamber configured to bias the contraction-side valve body; a communicating channel communicating with the expansion-side back-pressure chamber through an expansion-side resistance element, and with the contraction-side back-pressure chamber through a contraction-side resistance element; an expansion-side pressure introduction passage connecting the expansion-side chamber with the contraction-side back-pressure chamber; a contraction-side pressure introduction passage connecting the contraction-side chamber with the expansion-side back-pressure chamber; a regulating passage connected to the communicating channel; and a solenoid pressure control valve in the regulating passage to control a pressure in the upstream of the regulating passage.